Industry Tour – Grassland Conservation and Restoration on a Multiple Use Landscape for Foothills Fescue Native Grasslands

Foothills Fescue native grasslands in SW Alberta are declining and becoming increasingly fragmented with new industrial development and recreation pressures in the region. Competent pre-disturbance site assessment and follow-through are critical to assessing restoration risk, minimizing disturbance, and preparing effective and cost-efficient construction and reclamation plans for all development in native grasslands. This two-day field-based tour addresses:

• Reclamation issues and beneficial practices in the region
• Conservation assessment in native grassland
• Project planning, ecological site restoration risk assessment and recovery strategies for fescue grasslands
• A tour of industrial sites to illustrate different construction and reclamation practices in the region